Processing device for photocopying machine

ABSTRACT

A dry-type processing device for a photocopying machine having photosensitive paper moving on an endless belt through an operational area for exposure to developing gas passing out of an adjoining chamber. Rollers are provided at either end of the operational area in rolling contact with the endless belt and in sliding contact with the chamber.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Minoru Umahashi Kanagawa-Ken; KenzouAriyama. Tokyo, both of, Japan [2!] Appl. Nov 785,169 [22] Filed Dec.19, I968 [45 Patented June 29, 1971 [73] Assignee Kabushiki Kaisha Ricoh'Iokyo.,]apan [32] Priority Dec. 28, 196 J p [3|] 42/83602 [54]PROCESSING DEVICE FOR PHOTOCOPYING MACHINE 3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.[52] US. Cl 355/27, 96/27, 355/100, 355/l06 [5 1] Int. Cl G03b 27/32[50] Field of Search 96/27; 355/27, 100, 106

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,174,420 3/1965 AizawaPrimary Examiner-John M. Horan Assistant Examiner-Richard A. WintercomAtt0rneyBurgess, Ryan & Hicks ABSTRACT: A dry-type processing device fora photocopying machine having photosensitive paper moving on an endlessbelt through an operational area for exposure to developing gas passingout of an adjoining chamber. Rollers are provided at either end of theoperational area in rolling contact with the endless belt and in slidingcontact with the chamber.

PATENTEU JUN29 197i INVENTORS BY 5 M 4 M mf rmlsvf,

PROCESSING DEVICE FOR PHOTOCOPYING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a dry-type processing device forphotocopying machine and more particularly a drytype processing deviceutilizing ammonia gas for diazo type and the like photocopying machine.

In the conventional processing device of the type described, generallyliquid ammonia is supplied into the enclosed casing of the processingsection, heated and evaporated so that evaporated ammonia gas maycontact with the exposed surface of photosensitive paper moving betweenthe perforated wall of the casing and the endless sealing belt throughpores of the perforated wall. Therefore the endless belt is made insliding contact with the stationary perforated wall of the casing and isfurther pressed with a considerable pressure against the perforated wallso as to ensure the movement of the photosensitive paper to be processedso that the friction between the endless sealing belt and the perforatedwall is relatively high and consequently the driving force of thesealing belt must be increased.

Well known is the processing device of the type in which guide rodmembers instead of the perforated wall are utilized in such a mannerthat the exposed surface of the photosensitive paper may contact withammonia gas freely in the processing casing while the photosensitivepaper is moved upon the guide rod members. In this case, the sealingbelt is made in sliding contact with the guide rod members as in thecase in which the sealing belt is made in contact with'the sealing endsurfaces of the processing casing so that the friction between thesealing belt and the guide rod members is also high as in the case ofthe first mentioned conventional processing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the present invention hasfor its object to eliminate the above described defect encountered inthe conventional dry-type processing device, and one of the mostimportant aspects of the present invention resides in the fact that thesliding contact in the conventional processing device is replaced withrolling contact in the present invention.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drytypeprocessing device utilizing the rolling contact instead of the slidingcontact as described above in which is used a gas for processing.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, sealing rollersare disposed at the front and rear side edges of the enclosed casing ofthe processing section respectively and a sealing belt is lapped overthese sealing rollers.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, processing gasis directed at the processing position in the same direction with thatof the movement of the sealing belt.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereoftaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a firstembodiment of the drytype processing device of a photocopying machineaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a second embodiment thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, withinan enclosed casing 1 of a processing section is disposed an evaporatingsaucer 2 to which is supplied liquid ammonia from a supply pipe 3.Ammonia supplied to the evaporating saucer 2 is heated by a heatingdevice 4 so as to be evaporated. The right open end of the casing l issealed by means of an endless sealing belt 8 lapped over the peripheriesof rollers 5, 6 and 7. The sealing and the casing l are disposed belt 8is adapted to be driven in the direction indicated by the arrow by forexample the roller 5. Between the sealing belt 8 sealing rollers 9 andI0 which are rotated by the sealing belt 8 being transported in thedirections indicated by the arrows respectively. Sliding contact members11 and 12 made of for example Teflon are mounted upon the casing l forsliding contact with the sealing rollers 9 and 10 respectively.Reference numeral 13 designates a plurality of guide rods spaced apartfrom each other for guiding the photosensitive paper 14 transferred fromthe exposure section. A conveyor belt 15 is lapped over the exposurecylinder.

The sealing belt 8 is disposed in rolling contact with the sealingrollers 9 and 10 respectively so that the friction therebetween isremarkably less. The contact pressure between the sealing rollers 9 andI0 and the sliding contact members 11 and 12 of the casing I can bereduced because they are not utilized for feeding the photosensitivepaper. Consequently, the overall driving force for moving the sealingbelt 8 can be made less.

Referring now to FIG. 2 illustrating a second embodiment of the presentinvention, the developing section is enclosed by means of an outercasing 16 and a doublewall construction member 17. Opposed to the firstembodiment, an ammonia gas evaporating saucer 18 is disposed outside ofthe developing section. Ammonia gas evaporated by the evaporating saucer18 is supplied into the developing or processing chamber 22 from anopening 21 formed on the end of joined pipes 19 and 20 in such a mannerthat ammonia gas is directed by a blower 25 into the processing chamber22 in the same direction with that of the movement of the sealing belt8. The blower 25 also provides for recirculating the ammonia gas throughan opening 23 and a pipe 24 back to pipe 20. In this case, the sealingbelt 8 as well as the double-wall construction member 17 both of whichdefine together with the outer casing 16 a space including theprocessing chamber 22 into which is supplied ammonia gas are disposed inrolling contact engagement with the sealing rollers 9 and 10 as in thecase of the first embodiment. That is, the sealing rollers 9 and 10 arein rolling contact engagement with the sealing belt 8 and with thedouble-wall construction member 17 through sliding contact members 26and 27 made of Teflon.

In the second embodiment having the construction as describedhereinabove, ammonia gas within theprocessing chamber 22 presses thephotosensitive paper against the sealing belt 8 and facilitates themovement of the photosensitive paper because ammonia gas within theprocessing chamber is made to flow in the same direction with that ofthe sealing belt 8. Reference numeral 28 designates photosensitive paperguide rollers disposed in spaced-apart relation with each other; 29, apair of photosensitive paper discharge rollers; and 30, a vent.

According to the present invention as described hereinabove, sealingrollers are interposed between the sealing belt and the casing of theprocessing section so as to reduce the friction therebetween and tofacilitate the transport of the photosensitive paper. Especially whenthe circulation flow of the processing gas is utilized, the processingdevice best suited for high-speed processing can be obtained and ammoniagas can be prevented from being condensed or frozen.

The present invention has been so far described with particularreference to the preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be clearthat variations and modifications can be effected within the true spiritof the present invention as described hereinabove and as defined in theappended claims.

Iclaim:

l. A dry-type processing device for processing photosensitive materialin a photocopying machine comprising an operational chamber having anoperational developing area along one side thereof;

an endless belt mounted on rollers and positioned to be driven inapredetermined direction adjacent to said developing area and having thephotosensitive material positioned thereon;

a pair of sealing rollers located between said operational 5 chamber andsaid endless belt, said sealing rollers being in contact with and drivenby said endless belt, each sealing roller located, respectively, at oneend of said developing area; and

a pair of sliding contact members mounted on said opera-

1. A dry-type processing device for processing photosensitive materialin a photocopying machine comprising an operational chamber having anoperational developing area along one side thereof; an endless beltmounted on rollers and positioned to be driven in a predetermineddirection adjacent to said developing area and having the photosensitivematerial positioned thereon; a pair of sealing rollers located betweensaid operational chamber and said endless belt, said sealing rollersbeing in contact with and driven by said endless belt, each sealingroller located, respectively, at one end of said developing area; and apair of sliding contact members mounted on said operational chamber andlocated, respectively, in contact with one of said sealing rollers.
 2. Adry-type processing device according to claim 1, in which blower meansis provided to force developing gas to flow along said developing areain said predetermined direction.
 3. A dry-type processing deviceaccording to claim 1, in which said sliding contact members are formedof Teflon.